ase, the
obstacle must be insurmountable, or she would not go away with me into
strange countries through great fatigue on a chimerical search."

Cantagnac had risen and, very courteously for his assumed character, had
come round the table without going near his host and the Jewess, and
entered into the other dialogue.

"Did you say you were going far, monsieur?" he inquired.

Daniels nodded and opened his arms significantly to their utmost
extent.

"Leaving Europe with a scientific design? Ah! may one hear?"

"Perhaps it would not much interest you?" returned the old man, who
seemed to feel a revival of a prejudice against the visitor upon his
coming nearer.

"The atmosphere of this house is so learned," replied, the smiling man
unabashed by the sudden coolness, "and, besides, more things interest me
than people believe, eh, madame?" directly appealing to the hostess, who
had to nod.

"You see I have a great deal of spare time since I retired from business
and I am eager to increase my store, ha, ha!"

"Well, the idea which has tormented more than one of my race, has seized
me," returned M. Daniels, "I wish to fill up gaps in our traditional
story and link our present and our future with our past. The question is
of the Lost Tribes of Israel. I believe after some research, that I know
the truth on the subject, and, more that I may be chosen to reconquer
our country. The ideal one is not sufficient for us, and I am going to
locate the real one and register the act of claiming it. Every man has
his craze or his ideal, and mine may lead me from China to Great Salt
Lake, or to the Sahara."

"What a pity," interjected Cantagnac merrily, "that the Wandering Jew
did not have your idea. It would have helped him work out his sentence
to walk around the globe!"

"He had no money to lend to monarchs sure to vanquish or to peoples
astounded by having been overcome. But his five pence have fructified by
dint of much patience, privation and economy. The Wandering Jew has
realized the legend and ceases to tramp. He has reached the goal. What
do you think about my pleasure tour?" he suddenly inquired of
Clemenceau, whose eye he caught. "Child of Europe, happy son of Japhet.
I am going to see old Shem and Ham. Have you a keepsake to send them or
a promise to make?"

"Tell them," said the host, coming over to join the group, while
Rebecca, during the continued resignation of Madame Clemenceau,
superintended the servant's